The Republic of Lake Chad has recorded 1,342 suspected cases of dengue including 41 confirmed cases reported across eight health districts in four provinces.
According to the statement released by the World Health Organisation on Monday stated that among the confirmed cases, one death was reported. Abéché health district in Ouaddaï province, is the current epicentre of the outbreak.
Recalled that on the 15th of August 2023, a dengue outbreak was declared by the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention in Chad.
The Ministry of Public Health and Prevention has initiated a number of key response activities by implementing, in collaboration with WHO and partners, the national contingency plan for dengue preparedness and response.
WHO said dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Many dengue infections produce only mild flu-like illness and over 80% of cases are asymptomatic.
Adding that there is no specific treatment for dengue; however, timely detection of cases and appropriate case management are key elements of care to prevent severity and fatality of dengue.
Meanwhile, WHO revealed that this is the first dengue outbreak reported in Chad, and the country has limited surveillance, clinical and laboratory capabilities.
Given the favorable environmental conditions for mosquito spread, an ongoing humanitarian crisis due to a massive influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan and limited response capacities, WHO assesses the risk posed by this outbreak as high at the national level.
